Wayne Simmonds Played Through Torn Pelvis, Broken Ankle

Wayne Simmonds held court in his season-ending media availability today, and shocked all that listened as he listed off the injuries he dealt with this season. According to Adam Kimelman of NHL.com, Simmonds had a torn pelvis in training camp but played through it all season. The Philadelphia Flyers forward also suffered a pulled groin in mid-October, broke his ankle in late October on a Shayne Gostisbehere shot, and tore a ligament in his hand in February.

Simmonds played in 75 games, the lowest total of his career (not counting the shortened season).

Missing time only for the hand injury, these other ailments may be to blame for Simmonds’ relatively weak offensive output. After averaging 30 goals the last four seasons, he registered just 24 this season and posted only 46 points. That’s his lowest total in a full season since 2010-11 when he was still with the Los Angeles Kings.

Still, Simmonds is an extremely effective player when healthy and is on one of the most team-friendly contracts in the league. Earning just under $4MM per season, Simmonds is eligible for a contract extension on July 1st and is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2019. Along with the rest of the 2019 “Superclass”—which includes players like Erik Karlsson, Drew Doughty, Tyler Seguin and Jeff Skinner—Simmonds could get locked up to a long-term deal this summer. His performance for the Flyers has been outstanding, and his involvement in the community even more so. Named one of the finalists for the Mark Messier Leadership Award, Simmonds would likely have 30 teams knocking on his door if he hit free agency.